Library Day

Mrs. Madoff's Class

by Anne Rockwell, Lizzy Rockwell (Illustrations)

Beloved author Anne Rockwell celebrates books, the love of reading, and of course, libraries, with a gorgeous new picture book about a child’s first visit to the library!

One day, a young boy visits the library for the very first time. While he’s there he listens to stories, reads books and magazines, and learns that there are also movies, crafts, chess, and puppet shows—something for everyone! With simple, lyrical text and bright illustrations that jump off the page, Library Day brings the joys of reading vividly to life.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Books About Books, Juvenile, Fiction, Storytime, Family

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 12, 2016

Reviews

[Sheri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Contrary to many of the opinions here, I actually really liked this book. It does a great job showing a child what a library has to offer in terms of materials and services, while also showcasing a warm and welcoming environment.

I know some don’t like this book because dad leaves his child alone at storytime while he visits another part of the library, but like it or not, it does happen. Parents do leave their children unattended while they find books, use the computer, or chat with a friend. Sometimes a parent is in the same room as their child, but still not overseeing them, instead letting them run wild and be a disruption. On days when there is no school some kids even spend the whole day at the library, perhaps “supervised” by an older sibling. My library has a policy against this, but said policy is not actively enforced, probably for several reasons.

Also, some feel that this representation of a library is outdated with references to magazines and chess games. But for libraries in small and medium-sized towns, this is the reality that their budget allows for and may even reflect the desires of the local community. Not every parent has or can afford the technology to utilize e-books and other digital offerings, and some wish to limit their child’s screen time. The fun of browsing physical materials to find the just the right items that appeal to each individual and “old-fashioned” pursuits such as board games are still very much a part of many libraries and make up the vast majority of any library’s visual and material marketing.

Overall, I think this book offers a realistic perspective on today’s libraries and how most children will know and use libraries. The text and illustrations will pique a child’s interest in visiting the library. In my opinion and my experience, the author got more right than she did wrong, so it’s a 4 star rating from me.

[Emily · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'll spring for 1.5 stars, I'm feeling generous today. Since when have libraries been day care centers? It is NOT OKAY to leave your children unattended in a library. Also, since when have kids been allowed to wander around by themselves after storytime? And why is the librarian so old and matronly? That's not a good representation of the field. I agree with what someone else said about the movies looking like books. That's just confusing. And when was the last time you saw a couple of "older kids" sitting around playing chess?? This is the 21st century. Sitting around playing Minecraft I'd buy, do kids even still know how to play chess? The author's product placement is pretty blatant. And really, computers are machines that have "lights that go on and off and rumble"???

[Jillian · Rating 1 out of 5]

Minus all the points imaginable for having Dad just drop his kid off at storytime and doing his own thing for an hour. Librarians are not there to babysit your child.
Minus even more points for the author advertising her own book later in the story.

[KC · Rating 3 out of 5]

Any book about the importance of a library is worth reading.

[Nancy Kotkin · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are many things this picture book gets right. A boy and his father visit a library (Dudes read!). The boy attends story time and even makes a friend (Reading is NOT boring and does not have to be a solitary activity all the time.). One of the librarians is male and Latino (Diversity and breaks the stereotype of the female librarian.). The boy discovers the library has many resources in addition to books: toys for young children, magazines (Yes, they still print some of these.), movies, computer (Not sure why there is only one?), crafts, and events. The boy gets his own library card (Feels grown-up and promotes responsibility.).

Unfortunately, all this library love is overshadowed by the one thing the book does wrong. The boy's father drops him off in the children's room for story time, then leaves to browse the adult section of the library. Most libraries don't allow unattended children at events, so I'm not sure why the author made this odd decision. More importantly, this irresponsible behavior makes it seem as if librarians are baby-sitters, which they are not.

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

I gave it 3 starts because the book does a good job covering a lot of what a library has to offer.

Pros-
-Diverse library crowd.
-Discusses where to return your library books (not everyone who visits my library knows this).
-The child gets his own library card before they leave.
-There's mention of an upcoming library program.

Cons-
The dad drops his child off to storytime and while he goes to look at books. WHAT? I don't know of any librarian today who encourages the parent to drop off their child while they go browse the collection. Storytime today is for both the parent and child.

Later in the story Rockwell advertises her own book. I'm not kidding.

[Angela · Rating 1 out of 5]

I am a librarian and I believe this is the worst book about libraries that I have read. Based on the pictures, I don't think the author/illustrator has actually been in a library in 20 years. There are only 2 computers shown, magazines (which are phasing out to be digital) are prominently discussed, the "movies" look more like books and make the display confusing and the father is shown to drop off his child for storytime (most libraries require a parent present during this type of programming). The text is lengthy and uninspiring. I am actually embarrassed that I purchased this book for my library.

[Maija · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this book, but I disagree with dropping off your child and going to a different section. I wish it had been more of a "reading and enjoying the library together" story.

[Lindsay · Rating 2 out of 5]

Story HOUR? The dad just leaves the kid alone in the room? All the kids are quietly doing their own thing? What year/world is this?

[Alana · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the introductions to all the good things the library has to offer. The cynic in me was concerned by the father leaving the obviously young child alive to wander around for an hour, but I liked the exploration of the child and finding things that interested him.

[Peacegal · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nice illustrations, but a fairly ridiculous and outdated depiction of a library.

The dad just drops off his very young child in the kids' dept. and wanders away into a different part of the building. I know incompetent parents do this, but we don't want to encourage it, or let parents and kids believe that it's a safe and fun thing to do.

This fantasy library has teenagers playing chess, not blaring their cell phones and yelling profanities at each other and staff. The one (!) computer is being quietly used by a single kid, not monopolized by hordes of the city's unfortunates chatting on Facebook. Kids can have free run of the building without worrying about that guy who's on the sex offender database lounging at the table. Everyone is friendly and happy and obeys the rules. No wonder the gray-haired librarian is smiling!

[Joella · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't love this. But because it is a "library" book I will give it 3 stars. Maybe as a librarian I am a little pickier about what library books I love? But there are some things here that happen that aren't actually allowed in my library. (Such as parents leaving kids alone at story time while they go off to find their own books...story time is meant for kids and parents and leaving the kids just makes librarians babysitters--which we aren't.) Anyway, I'll have it in my library...but I don't think I'll point it out to anyone.

[Joanne Roberts · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice addition to the "My First Experience" series. Like the others in the series, this book explains the purpose of a library and details its features through the eyes of a child. The first person narrator explores the stacks, makes a friend, reads magazines, gets a library card, listens to stories, and learns there's more to a library than books: computers, crafts, puppet plays, etc. Thorough and well-executed in art and text. The story also functions as a sweet story about a dad and son on their day out.

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

A sweet and informative introduction to the library, but I wish the parent in the story hadn't left his child unattended.

I know that every library has different rules for this. However, I feel it's not not a good precedent to set with parents that it's the norm to leave not only the storytime area, but the children's area altogether. The child depicted in this book is very young, and his father leaves for an indeterminate amount of time.

[Brindi Michele · Rating 1 out of 5]

as a children's librarian, i'm cringing.... why are you leaving the child unattended in the library, dad?! i thought this book portrayed the library well, um 20 years ago. but i did like the importance of letting a baby/toddler explore the books, and doing her own "reading". (but minus a star for the author using fake book titles and authors, oh except for the part where she advertised her own...)

[Christi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wish the pictures were more updates. Maybe a younger librarian, or a man. And I really hate that the father left the kid in the library room. Not ok. I did like that it showcased all awesomeness you can find in the library.

[Becca · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm torn. I wanted to like this because it shows lots of things about libraries for kids, but I really, really did not like that the dad just dropped the kid in the children's section at storytime and took off. Nope, nope, nope!

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a huge fan of the Rockwells' books. Love the bright illustrations and diversity of characters. I liked the reference to one of my favorite Rockwell books as well. Only negative was the parent dropping child off to storytime and leaving.

[Taylor Kundel-Gower · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dad! You have to stay at storytime, man! It's fun and educational for both parents and children! Plus, um, safety. Other than that, this is a nice book. It's a positive introduction to libraries. It made me feel cozy.

[Colette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Books that encourage kids to read and visit the public library are great, including this one.

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

This would be a good one for Library week, talks about the different things that you can do at the library in a fun story format.

[Sarah Threlkeld · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was surprised this was published in 2016; the story and illustrations feel very quaint and don’t match up with my daughter’s library experience.

[Bluebelle-the-Inquisitive (Catherine) · Rating 2 out of 5]

Author: Anne Rockwell
Illustrator: Lizzy Rockwell
Age Recommendation: Pre-School/ Kinder
Art Style: Watercolour illustrations
Topic/ Theme: Libraries and Children, Promotion of Reading
Setting: Byram Public Library (semi-fictional)
Series: My First Experience

Library Day is cute and does well to showcase a traditional western public library to a young audience. It perpetuates some stereotypes but has a reasonable amount of representation of minority groups. It isn't all Anglo-Saxon people and the staff aren't all women. I really appreciated that the young boy and the father didn't look like carbon copies of each other. There is the serious concern raised in so many of the reviews and I will add my voice to the chorus, it is not okay to leave your child unattended in the library. They are not daycare centres.

I'm a bit torn on one particular page, which did lower the rating. There is a page using Apples and Pumpkins as a prop. Mixed feelings come from it being authored by the Rockwell family, the same people as Library Day, is it simply a prop or is it a promotion? That is a fine line. For a page like that, I guess there was two choice one of their own works or one of the great classics. I'm not sure the great picture book classics would transfer well geographically because picture story is a lot about language and culture development I think they tend to be region specific.

But it if the book makes even one child want to go to the library then a little promotion isn't a problem and it is likely that is my adult brain talking anyway. This is far from the best book about libraries and the library experience but it's not the worst representation of it either.

[Rosie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute story about the magical place called the library from the perspective of a child. As Don explores the library, he discovers the library has lots to offer besides books, such as movies, children's magazines, story time, and special presentations like puppet shows. Library day ends, of course, with Don receiving his own library card to take out books.

When my mom would take me to the library, she would leave me in the children's room, too. I have plenty of fond memories browsing the shelves by myself, talking with the librarians, working on crafts projects, and going to story time. Granted, this was some time ago, not to mention that our town library was fairly small, so my mom could easily keep an eye on me while she went to the adult shelves. Obviously the world is a much different place now and in most cases, kids wouldn't be allowed to be left alone for any amount of time, but I don't think that should discredit the message this book is trying to portray. Libraries have a plethora of resources and services available to families as depicted in this story. The library is a unique place that can be enjoyed at any age but can also be a great place of discovery for children.

[Jannah · Rating 2 out of 5]

A cute but unrealistic and outdated representation of library life.

A child goes to the library with his father, where is father drops him off (NOPE DON'T) for storytime while he goes to browse the "adult" shelves.
The librarian, a silver-haired cardigan-toting (no spectacles or shushing? SHOCKED) older lady reads a story. Then a man, introduced only as "Mr. Miguel" (is he a volunteer? Another librarian? It looked like he was working at the desk on a previous page? Why was the woman Mrs. lastname and he's Mr. firstname?) reads another story.
The children are then turned loose to roam about the library on their own (red flag) where they discover that there are more than just books in the library, such as movies and magazines.
At the end, the father comes back to retrieve the kid and get him a library card. The librarian has a "machine" that has lights that go on and off...making the library card, I guess? I don't know any libraries that make cards this way. Maybe they used to.

For a "my first experience" book, it's a rather misguided experience.

[Michele · Rating 5 out of 5]

I admit to being biased about this book. When Lizzie and Anne were writing and designing the book, Lizzie (who lives in the area) stopped at several libraries to take pictures--my tiny branch library being one of those. It's our garden you see as the character Don, and his Dad head toward the library itself.

I love reading this to my story hour kids as they enjoy a narrative of their day at the library. The illustrations are fun, the prose simple and accessible and Lizzie and her Mom both drop the name of another of their best sellers "Apples and Pumpkins" in the text, which is kind of fun for librarians.

This is a nice, warm, happy book to get your child interested in the workings of libraries and the benefits of having that all important library card!

[Lydia McGregor · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is great for explaining all of the fun things that a library has to offer! As a parent though, the one note that I have is that the main character “Don” is made to seem like a little kid pointing out what “bigger kids” are doing in sections of the library but Don has been left alone by his dad for the whole book. Though that perplexes me, it is not something that I think my toddlers will pick up on & overall, it was a fun read with great illustrations/descriptions & it provided a good understanding for what a library is so, I still would check this book out again.

[Terresa Wellborn · Rating 3 out of 5]

A beautiful introduction to a first visit to the library, from a young boy's perspective. I appreciated the meta-moment with the "Apples and Pumpkins" book by Anne Rockwell on display at the library the young boy discovers. The book is dedicated to staff at the Byram Shubert Library, which I found special, too (and would love to visit some day).

Themes: libraries
Ages: K-2nd grade
Pub year: 2016

[Margaret]

This has a nice introduction to some resources at public libraries (but check out your local library, because there are all sorts of things you kight find, like telescopes, cookware, video/computer games, museum/park/zoo passes, and more). I don't love the "and then while child wanders around on their own" part, but maybe that's from thee child's perspective and dad is actually right nearby...

Art style is obvious from the cover.

[Elaine Fultz, Teacher Librarian, MLS · Rating 2 out of 5]

A boy and his father go to the public library for the first time. Even though this book was published in 2016, it presents a very traditional library. The boy is excited about MAGAZINES. Really? In 2016? At least, none of the library staff shushed anyone which is NOT the case in most of the introduction-to-the-library books.